Especially For Reformed

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Feb 7, 2015
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#41
I really am reformed. Really really. However, I never went out of my way to become reformed. I'm just kind of bad at understanding the Bible as it is 2000(+/-) years old, so full of customs and people I just don't get as a 20th century woman. (I know it's the 21st century now, but I grew up on the 20th century, and don't want to plunge fully into this century yet. lol) So I read from trusted scholars. (I call them my Dead Guys.) And, trust comes with age, and these books have stand the test of age, and sure enough, they're mostly reformed.

Reformed isn't a new diet fade. It's just a systematic way of seeing the whole Bible as one book about God without constantly getting tripped up because Joshua went off and said "choose this day" and Paul tells us that God chose to love Jacob and hated Esau. What gives with who is choosing whom? Reformed simply puts it all together.

I fear you're going at this as if you've decided to get rid of your old wardrobe and feel a need to pick out new wardrobe. But it's not about wardrobe. It's not what do we look like. It's who is God and what does he want?

You showed up in the parking lot of an adult bookstore. Good for you. I've been lost and showed up in the parking lot of a strip bar. It gets funnier than that. lol No big deal, we were simply driving somewhere we didn't particularly mean to go. Going in would have been a problem. (My problem would have been learning how many shades of red I can become. lol)

That said, if you want our basics, how about a nice catechism or two? Westminster's Catechism. Copy paste those words into Google and you get to decide if you want the shorter one or longer one. lol)

Or how about our confessions? Westminster Confession of Faith. <---PDF version. There are non-PDFs if you rather not do the PDF thing.

And if you want Foundation in don't-need-to-be-brilliant-to-understand mode, try Foundations of the Christian Faith by Boise. (I can understand him. I can't understand Calvin.)

But really, we don't get nervous over trying to turn around in a parking lot. That just comes under the usual whoopsie of getting lost in the car. You don't have to become one of us. It's not like a new wardrobe. It usually happens before the person even realize it is happening, simply because we're studying God's word with help from Dead Guys.

Our change started with a philosopher, not a Bible scholar. (Well, he was both, but he was really a Christian philosopher.) His name was Francis Schaeffer. Long way from catechisms and confessions.
I too believe the Bible says God chose us... ALL men and women. And that it is our willingness to accept being His chosen ones that make us a part of His family.
 
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#42
Please forgive me -- the top portion was supposed to be humor. Apparently, a very poor attempt.

The bottom part was serious. :)

Don't worry about it -- just pretend I it's not here . . . .
But, if I didn't read the top part, I might think I'm the only nut who accidentally pulls into the wrong parking lot. lol
 
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#43
a) Institutes of Calvin
Institutes of the Christian Religion - Christian Classics Ethereal Library

b) Synod of Dordt
https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/canons-dort

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If you want to be reformed/calvinist, you need to know this two and you do not need to know anything else. All reformed/calvinistic literature, creeds, catechisms , teachers or pastors will be saying the same thing by their own words or else they would not be reformed.

And you will actually be able to correct many reformed who mixed their beliefs with something else :)
No. Really. Don't need either of them. Which, frankly, I'm very glad about because both of them are way above my thinking skills, and... frankly, the first one tends to make someone a bit too legalistic. (What happened to hubby after spending a few months reading it. He's also no longer allowed to read some guy named Rushdoonie. Don't know who Rushdoonie is, but not good to be around people who read him too much. They get way too legalistic. lol)
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#44
Gotcha. You're in the UK and haven't heard of Charles Spurgeon? :confused: :)
No.
Someone mentioned Charles Stanley and Ravi Zacharias, those two I've heard of but have only listened to them perhaps once or twice in my life.
I don't go searching for preachers & teachers.
 
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#45
How did the title reformed referring to certain individuals begin? Is it because the Bible as in sola scriptural did the restoring ?

The creeds, confessions, or catechisms are simply private interpretations as to one's personal commentary of the Bible ...God's interpretation to us.And we are not to seek the approval of men?
Basically, she's interested in the Reformed and what we believe. Who better to ask for recommendations than "especially for Reformed?"

Otherwise, kind of like asking me for information about Methodism. I've known some Methodists. I suspect there are Methodists on this site, but I am the last person you ever want to learn about it from. I really never bothered learning what they believe. I haven't even gotten around to what method they use if they use one at all. lol
 
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#46
Gal...... You have to spell it out for half this crowd before you even attempt to post humor or sarcasm here.
Or do what I do -- use it enough that people get I'm sarcastic. lol
 
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#47
Actually, the book of Romans is where a Babe in Christ should start.

For that matter, it should be where a lot of self professed spiritually mature people around here should also start.<<<<<This comment is not directed at you personally.
I don't remember exactly how long Beez has been a believe, but upwards of 50 years. I'm a slow learner, however, even I can't be considered a "babe in Christ" after 50 years. lol
 

preacher4truth

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2016
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#48
No.
Someone mentioned Charles Stanley and Ravi Zacharias, those two I've heard of but have only listened to them perhaps once or twice in my life.
Ok. You should look into Spurgeon. He preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. His works are very helpful and are a tremendous blessing.

Remember Ephesians 4:11.

Knowing, appreciating and listening to godly preachers is Biblical. God decreed it to be such and gave us such men.

Oh, obviously you've heard of C S Lewis. :D
 
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#49
What is this reformed doctrine? Is it a new American thing? When I first read the OP I thought it was referring to The Protestant Reformation. Reading further posts I can see it must be something else. A something else I am unaware of.
Would someone be kind enough to explain please?
Yup. Reformed. The Protestant Reformation. aka Calvinists. We just celebrated our 500th Reformation Day last Halloween. (That was the night Luther put his 95 Theses on the church door.) Started in Germany actually, but a lot of the first Europeans who moved to the American colonies did so because they were being persecuted for believing the new-fangled way, (which was basically going back to the Bible itself, instead of including all the new funky stuff the RCC was teaching), instead of the Catholic way. (Oddly, Catholics moved to other colonies too.) We were called things like "Puritans" back then. Kinda new, not that new. lol
 
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#50
You're not familiar with Reformed Theology and are not aware of it accept for the Protestant Reformation???? One of my posts links to RC Sproul defining it in this very thread. This is nothing new at all.

You are aware Spurgeon was Reformed right? R C Sproul? Alistair Begg? Sinclair Ferguson? Stephen Lawson? Al Mohler? Paul Washer? Voddie Baucham? D James Kennedy? James M Boice?
Want me to go down that list you gave for people I did and didn't know were Reformed? And, funnier still, how many on that list I don't know yet.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#51
Ok. You should look into Spurgeon. He preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. His works are very helpful and are a tremendous blessing.

Remember Ephesians 4:11.

Knowing, appreciating and listening to godly preachers is Biblical. God decreed it to be such and gave us such men.

Oh, obviously you've heard of C S Lewis. :D
Is this the chap you are on about? I thought you were referring to a living person! LOL!


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon

Yes I've read most of C S Lewis' books more than once. One of my favourite authors.
 
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Dec 12, 2013
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#52
No to all your questions........and who cares what anyone thinks.....the only judge is Jesus and he knows all......
 
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#53
Never heard of any of them.
Denominational Church history has never been my area of study.
Whoa! Does that mean non-denomination history is one of your areas of study? I'm thinking that gets a lot more complex.
 
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#54
Gotcha. You're in the UK and haven't heard of Charles Spurgeon? :confused: :)
Worse than that! Apparently I haven't been diligent lately in posting another Spurgeon devotional on this forum!

 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#55
Whoa! Does that mean non-denomination history is one of your areas of study? I'm thinking that gets a lot more complex.
Extra-Biblically speaking, I've spent a lot of time studying Middle Eastern History and the ancient religions thereof, European history, And Ancient British History. The more modern stuff was never an area of special interest for me.

The Baptists? I thought they were just boring ;) perhaps I've missed something.

I don't think everyone can research in depth, every subject under the sun can they?
 

preacher4truth

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2016
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#56
Want me to go down that list you gave for people I did and didn't know were Reformed? And, funnier still, how many on that list I don't know yet.
Sure. Go for it. Or not. :D
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#57
Another vitriolic straw man.
There is nothing *vitriolic* about my post. It accurately summarizes Reformed Doctrine so it cannot be a straw man. And as I (and others) have consistently maintained, it is false doctrine therefore "another gospel", originating with Augustine and promoted by the Reformers.
 
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#58
Extra-Biblically speaking, I've spent a lot of time studying Middle Eastern History and the ancient religions thereof, European history, And Ancient British History. The more modern stuff was never an area of special interest for me.

The Baptists? I thought they were just boring ;) perhaps I've missed something.

I don't think everyone can research in depth, every subject under the sun can they?
Try teddy bears. Only been around for a little over 120 years now, so it's possible to learn the history. Keeping up with it is another thing all together. lol
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
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#59
Worse than that! Apparently I haven't been diligent lately in posting another Spurgeon devotional on this forum!

Not to worry Depleted


Law and Grace
A Sermon by:Charles Spurgeon
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."Romans 5:20.

here is no point upon which men make greater mistakes than upon the relation which exists between the law and the gospel. Some men put the law instead of the gospel: others put the gospel instead of the law; some modify the law and the gospel, and preach neither law nor gospel: and others entirely abrogate the law, by bringing in the gospel. Many there are who think that the law is the gospel, and who teach that men by good works of benevolence, honesty, righteousness, and sobriety, may be saved. Such men do err.

On the other hand, many teach that the gospel is a law; that it has certain commands in it, by obedience to which, men are meritoriously saved; such men err from the truth, and understand it not. A certain class maintain that the law and the gospel are mixed, and that partly by observance of the law, and partly by God's grace, men are saved. These men understand not the truth, and are false teachers.

This morning I shall attempt—God helping me to show you what is the design of the law, and then what is the end of the gospel. The coming of the law is explained in regard to its objects: "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound." Then comes the mission of the gospel: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."

And now, lastly, poor sinner, has sin made thee unfit for heaven? Grace shall render thee a fit companion for seraphs and the just made perfect. Thou who art to-day lost and destroyed by sin, shalt one day find thyself with a crown upon thy head, and a golden harp in thine hand, exalted to the throne of the Most High. Think, O drunkard, if thou repentest, there is a crown laid up for thee in heaven. Ye guiltiest, most lost and depraved, are ye condemned in your conscience by the law?

Then I invite you, in my Master's name, to accept pardon through his blood. He suffered in your stead, he has atoned for your guilt and you are acquitted. Thou art an object of his eternal affection, the law is but a schoolmaster, to bring thee to Christ. Cast thyself on him. Fall into the arms of saving grace. No works are required, no fitness, no righteousness, no doings. Ye are complete in him who said, "It is finished."

"Grace outdoes sin, for it lifts us higher than the place from which we fell."

Attribute: click here for the full sermon; Law and Grace
 
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valiant

Senior Member
Mar 22, 2015
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#60
Reformed Theology, Calvinism, and TULIP are ll basically the same and present "another gospel".
You are very limited in your horizons.


They essentially state that God elects some people for salvation and others for eternal damnation (but stated so as not to be too offensive).
Not so. Many teach that all men have chosen God's judgment and eternal damnation, and that God has elected out some to be saved. Had God not elected some no one would be saved.


Look up The Westminster Confession of Faith and the The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith to understand exactly what they teach.
Only one view of those who are called 'reformed' (reformed back to the original teaching of Scripture).

In order to be a member of a Reformed Church one must believe these statements of faith unreservedly.
That is your view and erroneous,

There are quite a few Reformed doctrines which would also be those on non-Reformed Christians.
You still stick to the teaching of the dark ages? If not you are reformed.


But TULIP is unacceptable to many. It is an acronym for the following:

T = Total Depravity
U = Unconditional Election
L = Limited Atonement
I - Irresistible Grace
P = Perseverance of the Saints
Correctly interpreted that is Paul's Gospel.